Positive ejection mechanism for earth moving apparatus



June 20, 1961 J. E. HANCOCK EI'AL 2,988,332

POSITIVE EJECTION MECHANISM FOR EARTH MOVING APPARATUS Filed April 21, 1958 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 IIS . INVENTORS James E. Hancock and ATTORNE Y6.

June 20, 1961 J. E. HANCOCK ETAL POSITIVE EJECTION MECHANISM FOR EARTH MOVING APPARATUS Filed April 21, 1958 INVENTOR. James E. HaflCOC/Tand Sylvester D. Feitegs.

ATTORNEYS.

June 1961 J. E. HANCOCK ET AL 2,988,832

POSITIVE EJECTION MECHANISM FOR EARTH MOVING APPARATUS 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 21, 1958 INVFTNTOR. James E. Hancock and BY Sylvesier D. fzte/zs.

ATTORNEYS.

June 20, 1961 HANCOCK ET AL 2,988,832

POSITIVE EJECTION MECHANISM FOR EARTH MOVING APPARATUS 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 21, 1958 w aq June 20, 1961 J. E. HANCOCK ET AL 2,988,832

POSITIVE EJECTION MECHANISM FOR EARTH MOVING APPARATUS 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April 21, 1958 INVENTORQ- James E. Hancock and BY Sy/vester D. Feii'ers.

)4 TTORNEXS June '20, 1961 J. E. HANCOCK ETAL 2,988,832

POSITIVE EJEICFIION MECHANISM FOR EARTH MOVING APPARATUS Filed April .21, 1958 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR. James 5. Hana 5 aw A 7"7ORNE Y5.

June: 20, 1961 J. E. HANCOCK ETAL 2,988,832

POSITIVE EJECTION MECHANISM FOR EARTH MOVING APPARATUS 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed April 2]., 195 8 June 20, 1961 J. E. HANCOCK ET AL 2,938,832

POSITIVE EJECTION MECHANISM FOR EARTH MOVING APPARATUS Filed April 21, 1958 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTOR.

Sy/veder D. Feziers.

James E. HOnCOC/ and June 20, 1961 J. E. HANCOCK ET AL 2,988,832

POSITIVE EJECTION MECHANISM FOR EARTH MOVING APPARATUS Filed April 21, 1958 e Sheets-Sheet 9 l INVENTORS James 5. Hancock and S y/vesfer D. Fezzens.

United States Patent 2,988,832 g H w POSITIVE ELIECTION MECHANISM FOR EARTH MOVING APPARATUS James E. Hancock, Hancock Manufacturing Co., Amarillo Highway, P.0. Box 1359, Lubbock, Tex., and Sylvester D. Fetters, Monroe, Nebn, said Fetters assiguor to said Hancock Filed Apr. 21, 1958, Ser. No. 729,607 Claims. (Cl. 37-129) This invention relates to earth handling apparatus and more particularly to forced ejection of the earth from the apparatus through a door opening in the bottom thereof. The earth handling apparatus is of the type disclosed in Patent No. 2,791,041, issued May 7, 1957.

It has been found that with apparatus of this character when moving certain types of earth, such as gumbo and sticky material, it is dilficult to remove the earth from the box of the apparatus by gravity as heretofore practiced. It is necessary when moving certain types of material that certain forced ejection of the material very materially enhances the operability of this type of apparatus.

It is the principal object of the present invention to provide earth handling apparatus, sometimes referred to as elevating scrapers, wherein a box is utilized for receiving the material being moved; providing the box with a door opening in the forward portion of the bottom thereof and an endgate may be moved forwardly in the box to positively force the material through the door opening and thereby clean the box of the material being moved.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide a mobile frame structure having side walls forming the box or earth carrying part of the apparatus, having open rear and front ends; to provide a scraper or dirt removing blade mounted on the frame in advance of the dirt collecting box; to provide conveyor or elevating means on the frame of the apparatus for moving the dirt from the blade to the box; to provide trackways on the outer lower edge of the side frames of the box structure; to provide a bottom in the rear portion of the box structure and a door opening in the forward portion of the bottom; to provide a movable bottom for closing the open forward portion of the bottom of the box structure; to provide an endgate moveable inside the box from rear to front to move the dirt from the box through the door opening; to provide means for moving the moveable door or bottom portion of the box from an open to a closed position and vice versa; to provide trackways on the inside of the sides of the frame structure for guiding the endgate therein; to provide hydraulic means for moving the endgate forwardly and pushing the earth material from the box structure and retracting said endgate; to provide a strike-off blade on the movable door closure member pivotally mounted on the forward edge thereof whereby when the door is open the Weight of the earth material will force the strike-off blade to a vertical position for leveling the earth material as it is discharged from the box; to provide means on the strike-off blade for operating with means on the box structure to return the stn'keoff blade to horizontal position upon closing of said door in the bottom of the box; and to provide a device of this character simple and economical to manufacture.

In accomplishing these and other objections of the invention, 1 have provided improved details of structure the preferred forms of which are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of our earth handling apparatus.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged partly cross sectional view showing the endgate retracted and the bottom door in a closed position.

2,988,832 Patented June 20, 1961 FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 with the bottom door open and the endgate moved forwardly to move the earth material from the box.

FIG. 4 is a rear end view of the apparatus.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view of the mounting of the movable door in the bottom of the box on a line 55, FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary partly cross sectional view on a line 6-6, FIG. 3, showing the mount ing of the endgate on the inside of the box and the adjustable shaft therefor.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective, partly fragmentary view particularly illustrating the hydraulic mechanism for moving the endgate and bottom door.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the track way on the outside of the sides of the frame structure for mounting the bottom door.

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal cross sectional view showing a modified form of door closing mechanism in the form of pivoted segments.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view taken on line 1010, FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 9, with the door segments in open position for movement of the dirt through the opening.

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary sectional view of the hydraulic mechanism for moving the segments for opening and closing the door taken on line 12-12, FIG. 9.

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary sectional view of "a single segment for the door closure with the hydraulic cylinders for operating same, shown in dotted lines.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged partly cross sectional view of another form of endgate.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged partly cross sectional view of r the endgate of FIG. 14 in forward position.

FIG. 16 is an enlarged rear endgate of FIG. 14.

Referring more in details to the drawings:

The earth moving apparatus of the present invention is of the type disclosed in the James E. Hancock application Serial No. 715,713, filed February 17, 1958, wherein 1 designates a trailer type implement propelled by a tractor 2 with a power or drive connection from the tractor to operating parts on the trailer type implement for driving the same. The trailer type implement is an elevating scraper or earth moving apparatus having a frame 3, the rear end of which is supported by ground engaging wheels 4 the forward end of the frame 3 has a pair of arms 5 pivotally connected thereto, as at 6 with said arms extending forwardly and terminating in a goose neck 7 having a fifth wheel connection or draft coupling member 8 at its forward end.

The frame includes side members 9 and 10 with uprights 11 and 12 near the rear end connected by an upper cross member 13 and a lower cross member 14. A forward portion of the side members 9 and 10 are provided with uprights 15 on either side thereof and the upper ends of the standards 11, 12 and 15 are connected by side rails 16 and 17. Side walls 18 and 19 are secured to the inside of the frame work structure as illustrated in FIG. 7 and extended forwardly of the upright 15 forming extensions as indicated at 20 (FIG. 1). Slightly forwardly of the standards 15 and extending from the forward portion of the frame is a scraper blade 21 extending between the sides and transversely of the trailer unit and an hydraulic extensible member 22 has its ends 23 and 23' connected to the side extension members 20 and arms 5 respectively in spaced relation to the pivot 6 whereby the extension of the extensible member 22 moves the side members 20 with blade 21 and thus the forward end of the trailer type implement downwardly relative to the arms 5 to engage the scraper blade 21 with the ground.

perspective view of the The sides 18 and 19 of the frame work structure comprise a box 24 and a fixed bottom 25 covering substantially one-half .of the rear portion of the box with an open front portion 26 as hereinafter described.

A conveyor 28 is supported on the scraper structure whereby operation of said conveyor moves the chains 29 thereof and the flights 30 thereon rearwardly and upwardly on the lower run of said conveyor whereby it rakes dirt from the scraper blade 21 rearwardly into the box 24, the forward lower end of the conveyor being suitably supported whereby it will float upwardly on earth being moved over the scraper blade but its downward movement is limited so the flights will pass over the scraper blade in closely spaced relation thereto.

The tractor 2 may be either a wheel or a track type suitable for propelling the scraper and having a power takeoff and gearing mechanism as indicated at 31 (FIG. 1), gear mechanism 32 having a connection 33 with a driving shaft 34 connected with gear mechanism (not shown) in a gear housing 35 for operating the elevator mechanism. This structure is not described in detail but is shown in the James E. Hancock application, Serial No. 715,713, filed February 17, 1958, now Patent No. 2,931,451.

An endgate or ejector plate 36 is provided for movement within the box 24 and comprises the rear of the box when the endgate is in the rearmost position as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 7. The lower edge of the endgate is turned slightly forwardly as indicated at 37 so that it provides an edge 38 for movement along the floor 25 of the rear portion of the box. The upper edge is angled slightly forwardly as indicated at 39 to prevent the dirt from spilling over the rear of the structure. The upper edge of the endgate in its rear most position rests against the cross member 13.

The insides of each of the side members 18 and 19 are provided with spaced trackways 40 and 41, the lower trackways 41 being close to the bottom of the box structure as illustrated in FIG. 2. The trackways are formed by rigidly securing by rivets or the like angled members 42 and 43 (FIG. 6), adapted to receive rollers 44 and 45 on each side of the endgate. The rear of the endgate is p ovided with bars or straps 46 and 47 vertically arranged and spaced from the end edges of the endgate as illustrated in FIG. 7. The endgate is also provided with horizontal straps 48 and 49 for rigidity of the structure, and mounting of the rollers as will later be shown.

Mounted on the rear of the endgate or pusher plate 36 in alignment with the horizontal straps 48 and 49 are rearwardly extending ears 50 for receiving threaded shafts 51 for mounting of the rollers 44 and 45. The shafts 51 are sufiicient length for the free ends to extend through openings in the vertical straps 46 and 47 and are held thereon by nuts 52 and 53. Nuts 54 and 55 are provided on each side of the ears 50 to further secure shafts 51 and for adjustment of length of the shafts so as to provide the proper length of the shafts for retention of the rollers 44 and 45 in the trackways. It will be noted the rollers are flanged as indicated at 56 (FIG. 6) so that the inner surface 57 thereof engage against the outer edge of the horizontal portions of the flanges 42 and 43 whereby when the endgate is moved forwardly or rearwardly the rollers will operate in the trackways 40 and 41 to retain the endgate in vertical position as hereinafter described. Each end of the trackways 40 and 41 are provided with stops 58 to restrict movement of the endgate 36 mounted to the forward face of gate 36 adjacent the tracks 40 and 41 and in front of each roller 44 and 45 are track blades 59 (FIG. 8) adapted to slide within said trackways as the endgate moves forward to clean the tracks of dirt and the like for the rollers 44 and 45.

On the horizontal portion 60 of the side members 9 and 1-0 are angled shaped members 61 and 62 (FIG. 4), the horizontal portion 63 facing the horizontal portion 60 of the side members of the frame forming trackways 64 and 65 for pairs of rollers 66 and 67. Spaced from each end of the bottom closing door 27 on each side thereof and suitably secured thereto by welding or other means are upstanding brackets 68 and 69, provided with openings for receiving short shafts 70 and 71 for mounting of the rollers 66 and 67 are flanged on one side as indicated at 72 so that the inner surface of the flange engages against the horizontal portions 60 and 63, as indicated at 73 (FIG. 5). It will be obvious the brackets 68 and 69 are near the respective front and rear edges of the side edges of the movable bottom member 27 to support the moving bottom which is slideable underneath the fixed bottom 25, as illustrated in FIG. 8.

Hinged to the forward edge 74 of the movable bottom 27 as at 75 is a strike-off blade 76 for leveling of the earth material as it drops from the door in the bottom of the box as hereinafter shown. Welded or otherwise rigidly secured to the outer end of the strike-off blade 76 are horns or cam members 11 for engaging a roller 78 mounted on a shaft 79 secured to the side members of the box as indicated at 80 (FIG. 8), so that when the door 27 is moved forwardly the horn will strike the roller and the strike-ofi blade will be moved to a horizontal position as the bottom door moves forwardly to the position as shown in FIG. 2. The bottom of the movable door is provided with reinforcing brackets 81, and the bottom 25 of the box is provided with transverse reinforcing members or brackets 82 for adding strength to the structure.

The rear ends of the side members 9 and 10 are angled inwardly as indicated at 83 and then in a line parallel to the sides of the box and are rigidly attached to the rear axle 84 of the vehicle. Diagonal braces 85 and 86 are extended from the axle 84 to the cross member 13 at the top of the box or frame and are rigidly secured thereto. Rigidly secured to the cross member 13 and at the inside of the diagonal braces 85 and 86 are outwardly extending arms 87 having an opening in their outer ends for receiving the ends of a shaft 88. In substantially the center of the shaft 88 is pivotally attached one end of a link 89 as indicated at 90 and the other end of the link is pivotally attached as indicated at 91 to links or arms 92 having their other end pivotally attached by a pin 93 to spaced ears 94 rigidly secured to and extended rearwardly from the end reinforcing member 49 on the bottom of the end gate 36. A substantially U-shaped bracket 95 has its ends or side arms 96 and 97 thereof rigidly secured to the diagonal braces 85 and 86. Rigidly secured to the center of the cross arm 98 of the U-shape member 95 are upstanding ears 99 to which is pivotally attached by a pin or the like. One end of an hydraulic two-way cylinder 100 provided with the usual piston (not shown) and piston rod. The piston rod 101 has its free end bifurcated and pivotally connected by a pin 102 to the link 89 at substantially the center thereof. Fluid lines 103 and 104 (FIG. 7) are attached to the cylinder on each side of the piston and run to a source of fluid supply of the tractor as is the usual practice. This fluid supply may be from the fluid supply of the tractor or may be independently carried by the trailer mechanism if desired. A brace 105 has one end pivotally attached to the horizontal strap 48 and by a pin 106 through ears 107 and its other end bifurcated and pivotally attached by a pin 108 to the link 89 below the connection of the piston rod to said link to act as a bracing and give rigidity to the movement of the endgate structure, as well as preventing the endgate from falling forwardly when the box is empty.

Pivotally attached to the shaft 88 as indicated at 109 (FIG. 7) is a bar 110 having its other end pivotally connected as at 111 to a rod 112 having its other end pivotally conneeted as at 113 to the rear center portion of the door 27 as best illustrated in FIG. 2 for moving the door forwardly and rearwardly through an hydraulic cylinder 114 also of double acting type. One end of the cylinder 114 is pivotally attached to a U-shaped bracket member 115 by ears 116 and the free ends of the U-shaped bracket member being rigidly secured to the diagonal brace members 85 and 86 slightly above the U-shaped bracket member 95. The piston rod 117 has its free end pivotally attached by pin 118 to the arm or bar 110 also illustrated in FIG. 7. Fluid lines 119 and 120 (FIG. 7) are connected to the cylinder on each side of the piston also as is the usual practice, connected with a source of fluid pressure and operated through controls on the tractor, transmitted through the fluid lines 119 and 120 as well as the lines 103 and 104 for the cylinder 100 to operate the extension members or cylinders whereby the sliding door 27 and endgate 36 are moved forwardly and baclcwardly as desired as will later be seen.

In operation of a device constructed and assembled as described, operation of the tractor will propel the scraper to a location where the scraper is to be loaded. Fluid from a source of fluid pressure and through controls on the tractor is transmitted through fluid lines 121 (FIG. 2) to extension member 22 for extending the same to move the forward portion of the frame of the scraper downwardly to cause the scraper blade 21 to contact the earth to be moved. The movement of the tractor will cause the scraper to pass the earth over the scraper blade and by the conveyor 28 is further moved into the box of the scraper, as indicated at 122 (FIG. 7).

'It will be obvious that at the beginning of the loading operation the movable bottom member or door 27 will be moved forwardly and engaged by the scraper blade as indicated at 123 (FIG. 2) to close the same and the endgate 36 is moved backwardly against the stops 58 as also illustrated in FIG. 2. Operation of the conveyor is through mechanism substantially the same as that shown in the James E. Hancock application for Patent Serial No. 715,713, filed February 17, 1958.

When a suitable amount of earth is loaded into the scraper the hydraulic controls are operated to effect contraction of the extension member 22 to raise the forward end of the scraper to a position for movement of the scraper to a point where it is to be unloaded.

When the scraper arrives at the point of unloading of the earth material, operation of the controls on the tractor will retract the piston 114 from the position shown in FIG. 2 to move the movable bottom member or door 27 rearwardly by movement of the rollers 66 and 67 in the trackways 64 and 65 on the outside of the frame structure as heretofore illustrated. Upon movement of the movable bottom member or door rearwardly the strike-oft blade 76 will drop downwardly by gravity and also aided by the weight of the material thereon to a vertical position as shown in FIG. 3, until it rests against a stop member 124 where it will remain in a vertical position to spread the dirt or earth material delivered from the box as the trailer moves forwardly.

After the movable bottom member or door has moved rearwardly a sufiicient distance to allow the dirt to drop through the opening 26 in the bottom of the box generally about one-half way, through manipulation of the controls on the tractor the piston 101 of the cylinder 100 is extended therefrom to move the endgate 36 forwardly in the box to eject the earth material through the trap door opening to a position shown in FIG. 3. The movable bottom member or door may be retracted entirely before movement of the endgate or pusher plate forwardly or timing mechanism (not shown) may be utilized for starting movement of the endgate forwardly in timed relations to rearward movement of the trap door, if desired. The reverse movement of the pistons in the cylinders will retract the endgate to its loading position as shown in FIG. 2, and move the trap door and strike-oil? blade 76 forwardly also in the position shown in FIG. 2 for reloading.

In FIGS. 9 1O, 11 and 12 we have shown a modified form of mechanism for closing the door opening in the bottom of the forward portion of the box. In this form of the invention the box and open bottom at the forward portion thereof is the same as in the preferred form of the invention, also the elevating or conveyor mechanism is the same.

For closing the door opening in the bottom of the box We provide movable or swinging telescoping segments I30 and 131 having substantially triangular shaped ends. The segments and 131 are mounted on the forward portion of the frame or side walls by a sleeve bushing 132 (FIG. 10) for receiving a short shaft 133 extending inwardly into the box. The segments have side walls 134 and 135 substantially triangular in shape provided with alignment openings 136 for engaging the shaft 133, the segment 131 being pivotally mounted on the shaft 133 and the segment 130 being rigidly secured thereto as by Welding or the like 137. The segment 130 and 131 have bottom portions 138 and 139 for closing the door opening 26 in the bottom of the box. The bottom 139 of segment 1 31 is curved and corresponding with the curved bottom of segment 130 having a forward edge 140 engaging the scraper blade 21 to prevent further rotation or swaying of the segment in a rearward direction, and the rear edge overlaps the curved bottom of the segment 130 as shown in FIG. 9.

In order to move the segments 130 and 131 to open door opening 26 we provide hydraulic means comprising a cylindert 141 mounted on a bracket 142 on the outside of the side member 19 of the frame having a piston rod 143 connected to an arm 144 rigidly secured to the shaft 133 by welding or other suitable means as indicated at 145 (FIG. 10). Fluid lines are connected to the cyiinder on either side of the piston (not shown) for operation thereof and having connection with the fluid supply of the tractor or other source.

In this form of the invention a strike-01f blade 146 is pivotally mounted on the forward edge of the fixed bottom as indicated at 147. A bracket 148 is secured on one outer end of the strike-01f blade to which is attached one end of a cable 149 running over a pulley 150 mounted on the side frame by shaft 151 and the other end of the cable being attached to the piston rod 152 of a cylinder 153 mounted to the side member 9. Fluid supply lines are also attached to the cylinder on either side of the piston having connection with the fluid sup ply of the tractor or other means as stated above in connection with the other hydraulic equipment.

In operation of this form of the invention the piston of the cylinders 141 and 153 respectively are at their inwar-d strokes so that the segments 130 and 131 will be in the position as shown in FIG. 9, whereby the trailing edge 154 of the segment 13!) will engage below the edge of the strike-off blade 146 to close that portion of the door opening and the other portion being closed by segment 131 also as illustrated in FIG. 9. The vehicle is then moved over the ground so the scraper 21 will pick up the earth material and the conveyor will carry the same to the box of the vehicle. When the box is filled the vehicle may be moved to the place of discharge for dumping. Operation of the fluid supply means to cylinder 141 will move the piston forwardly and the piston rod being attached to arm 144 will rotate the segment 130 rigidly secured on the shaft 133 to move it forwardly until a flange 155 on one edge of the wall 134 engages the edge 156 of the segment 131 to carry it forwardly along with segment 130 to the position as shown in FIG. 11. With this forward movement of both segments the leading edge 140 of segment 131 will engage the conveyor as indicated in FIG. 11 to move the conveyor upwardly so that the door opening will be fully open whereby the dirt may fall therethrough through operation of the endgate 36 as described in the preferred form of the invention, and as also illustrated in FIG. 11.

7 A stop 157 is secured to the bottom side edge of the box to retain the strike-off blade in vertical position. When the dirt is removed from the box, operation of the cylinder 153 will move the piston therein to retract the same and raise the strike-off blade 146 to horizontal position and operation of the cylinder 141 will move the segments rearwardly to close the door opening. It will be noted that segment 130 carries an arm 158 having a flange 159 to engage the forward edge of the segment 131 to move it rearwardly to closed position should it not move by gravity.

FIG. 13 illustrates a further modified form of a swinging segment 160 carried by a shaft 161 on the forward portion of the frame and having a cylinder 162 with its piston rod 163 attached to an arm 164 on the shaft 161 for movement of the segment to open and close the trap door. As the structure of the one segment accomplishes substantially the same purpose and operates in substantially the same manner as the two segments, the operation will be obvious i.e., operation of cylinder 162 will move the segment forwardly to open the trap door and when the bottom edge 163 disengages from the blade 146 release of pressure on the cylinder will allow the strikeoff blade to move downwardly to a vertical position for spreading of the dirt as the dirt is moved from the box.

In FIGS. l4, l and 16, we have illustratetd a form of end gate or pusher plate for movement of the dirt forwardly in the box which we have found to be very satisfactory in operation. FIGS. 14, and 16 also illustrate a positive movement for the strike-off blade.

With this form of invention the end gate 165 rolls on the bottom of the box. Rollers 166 and 167 are mounted in grooves or cut away portions 168 and 169 in the lower edge 170 of the end gate spaced from each side edge 171 and 172 as illustrated in FIG. 16. The rollers are, mounted on shafts (not shown) secured in the notches so that the endgate will roll on the bottom of the box as the endgate is moved forwardly and rearwardly as will later be shown. The rollers are provided with shields 173 and 174 for cleaning ahead and behind the rollers and prevent the rollers from becoming clogged, the shield being attached to the shafts of the rollers so that they will oscillate and not being fixed to the endgate except by the shaft.

The structure of the invention illustrated other than in FIGS. 14, 15 and 16 are substantially the same and are given like numbers. Rigidly secured to the cross member 13 are outwardly extending arms 175, having openings in their outer ends for receiving the ends of a shaft 176. Arms 177 and 178 have one end pivotally attached to the shaft 176 and extend parallel and then inwardly at an angle as indicated in 179 and 180 and thence parallel and connect with an extension connection 181 by a pin or the like 182 of a plurality of legs as indicated at 183 which diverge outwardly and have their free ends spaced and rigidly secured by welding or other suitable means to the rearward side of 184 of the endgate 165 as illustrated in FIG. 16 so as to distribute the forces for moving the endgate in the box as will later be shown.

A substantially U-shaped bracket member 185 has its free ends or side arms 186 rigidly secured to the diagonal braces 85 and 86 shown on the previous referred to forms of the invention and as illustrated in FIG. 7. The arms of the U-shaped member are connected by a shaft 187 to which is pivotally mounted one end of a cylinder 100. The piston rod 101 of the cylinder is pivotally attached as indicated at 188 to an car 189 of a cross member 190 extending between the braces or arms 177 and 178 as illustrated in FIG. 16. Mounted on the side edges 171 and 172 near the top of the endgate are brackets 191 and 192, having spaced ears and mounted between the ears by pins 193 and 194 are rollers 195 and 196 which extend slightly outwardly from the side edges of the endgate to contact the inside of the walls 18 and 19 of the frame of the vehicle.

The mechanism for movement of the roller of the sliding door 27 is the same as in the other form of invention except that the cylinder 114 is mounted on the rod 187 of the U-shaped bracket member 185 substantially in alignment with the cylinder as illustrated in FIG. 15.

The mechanism for positive control of the strike-off blade 76 consists of trackways 197 on each side wall for receiving rollers 198 mounted on links or arms 199 having their other ends rigidly secured to the outer edge of the strike-off blade 76 as indicated at 200 (FIG. 14).

In operation of this form of the invention, operation of the controls for cylinder 114 will move the door 27 forwardly as in the original form of the invention and the link 199 with roller 198 will move forwardly and upwardly in the tracks 197 to close the strike-off blade and contact the forward edge thereof with the scraper as illustrated in FIG. 14. Movement of the vehicle forwardly will cause the dirt to move into the box through the conveyor mechanism as also in the other form of the invention until thebox is lowered. When the vehicle has been transported to the place of dumping of the dirt operation of the cylinder 114 in the opposite direction will move the movable bottom member or door 27 rearwardly to cause the strike-off blade to assume the position shown in FIG. 15 and open the door opening 26 through which the dirt may fall. Operation of the controls for the cylinder 100 will cause the piston to move forwardly in the cylinder and the piston rod to exert forward pressure on the arms 177 and 178 through the connection with the extension of the plurality of diverging legs 183 to move the endgate or pusher plate forwardly in the box to positively eject the dirt through the door opening. The rollers 166 and 167 will stay in contact with the floor of the fixed bottom even though the path of the upper portion of the endgate might be somewhat erratic. In this connection it will be seen that the endgate slants rearwardly at the top slightly (FIG. 14). The first move ment of the endgate will cause the bottom thereof to move slightly faster than the top but then as the piston rod 101 pushes forwardly on the arm mechanism, the endgate will assume a slightly forwardly slanting position as shown in FIG. 3. In other words, the top portion of the endgate will catch up and pass the bottom portion. It will be obvious the pivoted triangle of the brace mechanism and particularly the diverging legs 183 with the pivotal connections of the arms 177 and 178 provides for smooth movement of the endgate in the box. Movement of the endgate rearwardly in the box is accomplished by reverse control of the piston in the cylinder 100. We have illustrated the forms of movement of the endgate as types which we believe to be efficient although other types may be used without departing from the spirit of our invention. Also other forms of positive movement of the strike-01f blade may be utilized.

It is further obvious that we have provided an improved apparatus for moving of earth material and unloading the same by positive ejection means not heretofore utilized.

What we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Apparatus for handling dirt comprising a mobile frame, a dirt collecting box carried by the frame and having side walls and a fixed bottom plate between the side walls and extending forwardly from the back thereof a distance less than the length of the side walls, a forwardly and downwardly inclined scraper blade extending transversely of the dirt collecting box and carried by said frame in forwardly spaced relation to the forward end of said fixed bottom plate, said dirt collecting box having an opening in the bottom between said fixed bottom plate and said blade, a door normally extending forwardly from said fixed bottom plate for closing a portion of the opening in the bottom of the box, trackways on the sides of said frame, means on said door movable in said trackways for retaining said door in movable engagement with said frame, a conveyor mounted on said frame for moving dirt from said scraper into said dirt collecting box, an endgate mounted in the rear end of said box for retaining the dirt therein when the box is loaded, fluid operated means for moving said door for opening and closing said door opening, fluid operated means for moving said endgate forwardly to push the dirt through said opening, and means pivotally mounted on the forward end of said door and depending vertically therefrom at the rear of said door opening when the door is in retracted position for leveling said dirt as it is discharged through said door opening.

2. Apparatus for handling dirt comprising a moblie frame, a dirt collecting box carried by the frame and having side walls and a fixed bottom plate between the side walls and extending forwardly from the back thereof a distance less than the length of the side walls, a forwardly and downwardly inclined scraper blade extending transversely of the dirt collecting box and carried by said frame in forwardly spaced relation to the forward end of said fixed bottom plate, said dirt collecting box having an opening in the bottom between said fixed bottom plate and said blade, a door normally extending forwardly from said fixed bottom for closing a portion of the opening in the bottom of the box, trackways on the sides of said frame, means on said door movable in said trackways for retaining said door in movable engagement with said frame, means carried by said frame for moving dirt from said scraper blade into said dirt collecting box, an endgate mounted in the rear end of said box for retaining the dirt therein when the box is loaded, fluid operated means for moving said door toward bottom opening closing position and to retracted position for opening said bottom opening, fluid operated means for moving said endgate forwardly to push the dirt through said opening, a strike-off blade pivotally mounted on the forward end of said door and depending therefrom when the door is in retracted position for leveling said dirt as it is being discharged, and means on said strike-off blade cooperating with means carried by the forward portion of said frame for raising said strike-off blade to horizontal position for closing the portion of said door opening between the forward end of the door and the inclined scraper blade when the door is moved forwardly to closing position.

3. Apparatus for handling dirt comprising a mobile frame, a dirt collecting box carried by the frame and having side walls and a fixed bottom plate between the side walls and extending forwardly from the back thereof a distance less than the length of the side walls, a forwardly and downwardly inclined scraper blade extending transversely of the dirt collecting box and carried by said frame in forwardly spaced relation to the forward end of said fixed bottom plate, said dirt collecting box having an opening in the bottom between said fixed bottom plate and said blade, a door for closing the opening in the bottom of the box, trackways on the sides of said frame, means on said door movable in said trackways for retaining said door in movable engagement with said frame, a conveyor mounted on said frame for moving dirt from said scraper blade into said dirt collecting box, an endgate mounted in the rear end of said box for retaining the dirt therein when the box is loaded, an hydraulic cylinder mounted on said frame in horizontal position rearwardly of said endgate, said cylinder having a piston and rod, link means connecting said rod to said endgate for moving said endgate forwardly to push the dirt through said opening, an hydraulic cylindermounted on said frame'in horizontal position rearwardly of said box, said cylinder having a piston and rod, means connecting said last named rod to said door for moving said door longitudinally of the frame for opening and closing said door opening, and means pivotally mounted on said door and depending from said door in vertical position when in open position for leveling the dirt as it is discharged from the opening in the bottom of the dirt collecting box.

4, Apparatus for handling dirt comprising a mobile frame, a dirt collecting box carried by the frame and half-"- ing side walls and a fixed bottom plate between the side walls and extending forwardly from the back thereof a distance less than the length of the side walls, a forwardly and downwardly inclined scraper blade extending transversely of the dirt collecting box and carried by said frame in forwardly spaced relation to the forward end of said fixed bottom plate, said dirt collecting box having an opening in the bottom between said fixed bottom plate and said blade, a door normally extending forwardly from said fixed bottom for closing a portion of the opening in the bottom of the box, trackways on the sides of said frame, means on said door movable in said trackways for retaining said door in movable engagement with said frame, a conveyor mounted on said frame for moving dirt from said scraper blade into said dirt collecting box, an endgate mounted in the rear end of said box for retaining the dirt therein when the box is loaded, an hydraulic cylinder mounted on said frame in horizontal position rearwardly of said endgate, said cylinder having a piston and rod, link means connecting said rod to said endgate for moving said endgate forwardly to push the dirt through said opening, an hydraulic cylinder mounted on said frame in horizontal position rearwardly of said box, said cylinder having a piston and rod, means connecting said last named rod to said door for moving said door longitudinally of the frame toward bottom opening closing position and to retracted position for opening said door opening, and a strike-ofi blade pivotally mounted on the forward end of said door and depending therefrom when the door is in retracted position for leveling said dirt as it is being discharged through said door opening.

5. Apparatus for handling dirt comprising a mobile frame, a dirt collecting box carried by the frame and having side walls and a fixed bottom plate between the side walls and extending forwardly from the back thereof a distance less than the length of the side walls, a forwardly and downwardly inclined scraper blade extending transversely of the dirt collecting box and carried by said frame in forwardly spaced relation to the forward end of said fixed bottom plate, said dirt collecting box having an opening in the bottom between said fixed bottom plate and said blade, movable bottom means carried by said frame, means on the frame and connected to said movable bottom means for moving same to and from a position closing said opening in the bottom of said dirt collecting box, a conveyor mounted on said frame for moving dirt from said scraper blade into said dirt collecting box, an endgate mounted in the rear end of said box for retaining the dirt therein when the box is loaded, an hydraulic cylinder mounted on said frame in horizontal position rearwardly of said endgate, said cylinder having a piston and rod, a plurality of legs having one end rigidly secured to the rear face of the endgate in spaced relation and converging outwardly and having their other ends connected, a shaft pivotally mounted horizontally on said frame above said legs, a pair of spaced. arms having one end pivotally connected to said shaft and the other ends to said connected ends of the legs, rollers mounted on the lower edge of the endgate for engaging on the floor of the box as the endgate is moved therein, means connecting the piston rod to said arms whereby extension of said rod in said cylinder will move the endgate forwardly in said box to move the dirt through said opening in the bottom of the box, and a strike-off blade pivotally mounted on the forward end of said door and depending therefrom in a vertical position when the door is in a retracted position for leveling said dirt as it is discharged through said door opening.

6. Apparatus for handling dirt comprising a mobile frame, a dirt collecting box carried by the frame and having side walls and a fixed bottom plate between the side walls and extending forwardly from the back thereof a distance less than the length of the side walls, a forwardly and downwardly inclined scraper blade extending trans- 11 versely of the dirt collecting box and carried by said frame in forwardly spaced relation to the forward end \of said fixed bottom plate, said dirt collecting box having :an opening in the bottom between said fixed bottom plate and said blade, movable bottom means carried by said :frame, means on the frame and connected to said movable bottom means for moving same to and from a position closing said opening in the bottom of said dirt collecting box, a conveyor mounted on said frame for moving dirt from said scraper blade into said dirt collecting box, an endgate mounted in the rear end of said box for retaining the dirt therein when the box is loaded, an bydraulic cylinder mounted on said frame in horizontal position rearwardly of said endgate, said cylinder having a piston and rod, a plurality of legs having one end rigidly secured to the rear face of the endgate in spaced relation and converging outwardly and having their other ends connected, a shaft pivotally mounted horizontally 'on said frame above said legs, a pair of spaced arms having one end pivotally connected to said shaft and the other ends to said connected ends of the legs, rollers mounted on the lower edge of the endgate for engaging on the floor of the box as the endgate is moved therein, rollers mounted on the rear side of the endgate near the upper side edges so that they extend slightly outwardly therefrom to contact the inside of the sides of the box, means connecting the piston rod to said arms whereby extension of said rod in said cylinder will move the endgate forwardly in said box to move the dirt through said opening in the bottom of the box, and a strike-01f blade pivotally mounted on the forward end of said door and depending therefrom in a vertical position when the door is in a retracted position for leveling said dirt as it is discharged through said door Opening.

7. Apparatus for handling dirt comprising a mobile frame, a dirt collecting box carried by the frame and having side walls and a fixed bottom plate between the side walls and extending forwardly from the back thereof a distance less than the length of the side walls, a forwardly and downwardly inclined scraper blade extending transversely of the dirt collecting box and carried by said frame in forwardly spaced relation to the forward end of said fixed bottom plate, said dirt collecting box having an opening in the bottom between said fixed bottom plate and said blade, movable bottom means carried by said frame, means on the frame and connected to said movable bottom means for moving same to and from a position closing said opening in the bottom of said dirt collecting box, a conveyor mounted on said frame for moving dirt from said scraper blade into said dirt collecting box, an endgate mounted in the rear end of said box for retaining the dirt therein when the box is loaded, an hydraulic cylinder mounted on said frame in horizontal position rearwardly of said endgate, said cylinder having a piston and rod, a plurality of legs having one end rigidly secured to the rear face of the endgate in spaced relation and converging outwardly and having their other ends connected, a shaft pivotally mounted horizontally on said shaft above said legs, a pair of spaced arms having one end pivotally connected to said shaft and the other ends to said connected ends of the legs, rollers mounted on the lower edge of the endgate for engaging on the floor of the box as the endgate is moved therein, rollers mounted on the rear side of the endgate near the upper side edges so that they extend slightly outwardly therefrom to contact the inside of the sides of the box, means connecting the piston rod to said arms whereby extension of said rod in said cylinder will move the endgate forwardly in said box to move the dirt through said opening in the bottom of the box, and a strike-0E blade pivotally mounted on the forward end of said movable bottom means and depending therefrom when said movable bottom means is in bottom open position for leveling said dirt as it is being discharged through said bottom opening, and cooperating means on said strike-01f blade and the forward portion of said frame for raising said strike-off blade to a horizontal position when the movable bottom means is moved to a position closing said opening in the bottom of the dirt collecting box.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the trackways are on the outside of said frame and the means on the door movable therein are rollers whereby the door is movable rearwardly underneath the bottom of the box to open said opening in the box for discharging the dirt therethrough.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein is provided means on the inside of said side walls cooperating with means on said endgate for guiding said endgate in its travel fore and aft in said box.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the guide means on the side walls and endgate are trackways on the lower portion of the inside of said side walls and rollers carried by said endgate movable in said trackways for guiding said endgate in said box.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the fluid operated means for moving said door consists of an hydraulic cylinder having a piston and rod mounted in horizontal position rearwardly of the box and having link means connecting the rod to said door, and the fluid operated means for moving said endgate forwardly consists of an hydraulic cylinder having a piston and rod mounted on said frame in horizontal position rearwardly of said endgate and having link means connecting said rod to said endgate.

12. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein is provided trackways on the lower portion of the inside of said side walls, rollers carried by said endgate movable in said trackways for guiding said endgate in said box.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein is provided vertically spaced trackways on the inside of said side walls, and rollers spaced on the respective side edges of said endgate movable in said trackways for guiding said endgate in said box.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein is provided vertically spaced trackways on the inside of said side walls, rollers spaced on the respective side edges of said endgate movable in said trackways for guiding said endgate in said box, and means for lateral adjustments of said rollers to engage in said trackways.

15. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein is provided vertically spaced trackways on the inside of said side Walls; rollers spaced on the respective side edges of said endgate movable in said trackways for guiding said endgate in said box.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

